"Trick-or-Trot" for Baltimore's Foster Teens at Second Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, October 29th

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Oct 14, 2011, 09:00 ET

BALTIMORE, Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Run, walk, or be scary at the Second Annual KidsPeace 5K Run/1 Mile Walk Oct. 29th throughout the neighborhood of Canton, Patterson Park and ending in O'Donnell Square.

The event, "KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K," is a benefit for KidsPeace Foster Care and Community Programs, which includes special programming for adolescents and offers mentoring to foster youth as they prepare to become independent adults.

Children and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate in the run or walk by wearing costumes. Canine friends are also invited to walk and prizes will be awarded for the most "spooktakular" costumes. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in O'Donnell Square (at the corner of O'Donnell and Linwood Avenues in Canton). The race starts at 9 a.m. and the fun walk at 9:05 a.m. Post race activities, including face painting, trick-or-treating, food, music and more will take place in O'Donnell Square immediately following the walk.

"We are truly excited about the opportunity to host our second annual 5K event," said Angela Showalter, event co-chairperson, KidsPeace Board of Associate member and wife of Baltimore Orioles Manager Buck Showalter. "Last year's event was a huge success and provided our foster youth with critical resources to help them in their journey to adulthood. We are hopeful that this year's event will help us support even more children."

Under Armour, is this year's Premier Sponsor. Gold Sponsors include: Charter Financial Group, Nacho Mama's, National Bohemian Beer, The Baltimore Orioles, MASN, and Vircity. The fee to participate is $35 for runners (includes an Under Armour race t-shirt for the first 400 registered runners), and $20 for families who are walking together. Foster families and foster children may walk at no charge. For more information, contact Gina Seyfried at 410-964-9329 or online at www.kidspeace.org/5Krun.aspx.

The proceeds from the 5K Run/1 Mile Walk event help fund the KidsPeace Foster Care and Community Programs that helps foster care youth learn and develop independent living skills. Some of the training sessions include: setting goals, becoming financially literate, developing and sustaining healthy relationships, promoting health, wellness and managing stress, developing positive social skills, exploring vocational interests and learning how to find and maintain a job.

Foster Care Facts:

Only 46% of foster care youth graduate from high school
Less than 2% of foster kids complete college
50% of foster kids experience developmental delays
40-50% are homeless within 18 months of emancipation
42% (60% of females) become parents within 30 months of leaving foster care
25% of all foster kids are incarcerated within 24 months.

About KidsPeace
Founded in 1882, KidsPeace is dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, preadolescents, teens and young adults, offering a comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services, and a variety of foster care and community-based programs to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities. KidsPeace offers services in Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia